W2W4: Vikings at Bears

CHICAGO BEARS (7-3) vs. MINNESOTA VIKINGS (6-4)

Noon Sunday at Soldier Field on FOX

Quarterback

Advantage

Christian Ponder has thrown all nine of his touchdowns in the red zone, and he ranks fifth in the NFL in red-zone completion percentage (62.7) while generating a passer rating of 99.1 inside the opponent’s 20. Ponder is completing 65.1 percent of his throws this season, but has been picked off eight times in his last six games. Chicago’s quarterback situation remains a question mark with uncertainty about Jay Cutler, who missed the club’s last game because of a concussion. Cutler is 5-1 against the Vikings with a passer rating of 100.8. If Cutler can’t go, the Bears will lean on Jason Campbell, who struggled last week, but has finished with a passer rating of 100 or better in 17 career games.

Running Backs

Advantage

Adrian Peterson has gained 100 yards or more in each of his last four games, which ties the longest such streak in his career. Peterson’s 1,128 rushing yards are the most in his career at this point, and the most through 10 games in Vikings history. Peterson is averaging career highs in yards per game (112.8) and yards per attempt (5.8). What’s more is he’s accomplished all this less than a year removed from tearing his ACL. Chicago’s inability to establish the rush has crippled the team offensively. Matt Forte is averaging 2.7 yards per carry over his last two games running behind the club’s struggling offensive line.

Wide Receivers

Advantage

Brandon Marshall could post his third 100-yard performance in four outings if Minnesota doesn’t devote coverage and personnel to taking him out of the game. The few teams that committed to neutralizing Marshall have been effective this season. So if the Vikings minimize Marshall’s impact, the Bears need production from Devin Hester and Earl Bennett, who have combined for just seven catches over the last two games. Percy Harvin has missed practice time this week with an ankle injury, and he’s doubtful for Sunday’s game. If Harvin can’t go, Minnesota will look for production from Michael Jenkins, Jerome Simpson, and Jairius Wright, who made his NFL debut against Detroit on Nov. 11.

Offensive Line

Advantage

The Bears made changes at right tackle and left guard after the offensive line surrendered six sacks during a 32-7 fiasco Monday night at San Francisco. But it’s unknown whether the moves mean improvement against Minnesota’s strong defensive front. The new right tackle is Jonathan Scott, and new left guard Chris Spencer was benched earlier this season. Left tackle J'Marcus Webb probably wouldn’t be starting this week if the club had other alternatives on the roster. Peterson’s rushing numbers thus far provide a glimpse of how dominant Minnesota has been at run blocking. The group has struggled somewhat in pass protection, allowing 12 sacks over the last four games.

Defensive Line

Advantage

The Bears are tied for fifth in sacks (28) with 25 coming from the defensive line. But the unit didn’t perform up to standards in the loss to San Francisco. Corey Wootton started his first career game against the 49ers in place of Israel Idonije, and could be on track to start against the Vikings. DE Julius Peppers has posted only one sack over the last three games, but the Bears are expected to get a boost in the rotation with the return of Shea McClellin (2.5 sacks). Led by DE Jared Allen (7 sacks), the Vikings are tied for the most sacks (76) from 2011-12 and the unit has given up an average of 95.8 yards per game since 2008, which ranks as third best in the NFL.

Linebackers

Advantage

Chad Greenway is tied for fifth in franchise history with nine forced fumbles, and he leads the Vikings with 126 tackles. Middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley is a promising young player whose production hasn’t matched his talent. Erin Henderson, meanwhile, has posted seven tackles in each of his last three games. Chicago’s group, headlined by Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher, has struggled in recent games, especially in the loss Monday to the 49ers. Briggs has been steady, but hasn’t put up big numbers. Urlacher continues to show improvement in his return from last year’s knee injury. Nick Roach has topped three tackles in just two games all season.

Secondary

Advantage

Charles Tillman has returned both his interceptions for touchdowns this season, and Tim Jennings leads the NFL in interceptions (8), giving the Bears a pair of potential Pro Bowlers. Chris Conte and Major Wright played well through the first nine games, but Wright seemed to hit a wall against the 49ers in trying to defend Vernon Davis. Minnesota’s group is led by veteran Antoine Winfield, who has been hampered with a knee injury. Like the Bears, the Vikings will field a couple of talented young safeties in rookie Harrison Smith, and second-year man Mistral Raymond. But they haven’t been near as productive as Wright and Conte in gobbling up turnovers.

Special Teams

Advantage

With Harvin likely out, the Vikings lose a valuable contributor on special teams, considering he averaged 35.9 yards on kickoff returns. Cornerback Marcus Sherels handles punt returns, and he’s averaging 9.3 yards per return, while Devin Hester of the Bears averages eight yards per return. The Vikings have given up just nine returns of 20 yards or more on kickoffs, which ranks as No. 2 in the NFL. Kicker Blair Walsh ranks second in the NFL with 41 of his kickoffs going for touchbacks, and on field goals he’s 5 of 5 on attempts from distances of 50 yards or more this season. Robbie Gould, meanwhile, has connected on 10 consecutive field goals from 50-plus yards.

Coaching

Advantage

Lovie Smith is 10-6 against Minnesota and 3-0 against Leslie Frazier, with Smith being on somewhat of a roll considering the Bears have won 10 of their last 11 against the Vikings at Soldier Field. Minnesota offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave has more experience than Bears offensive coordinator Mike Tice, who is in his first year. But Bears defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli cancels that out with his experience against Alan Williams, who just took over as Minnesota’s defensive coordinator.

Overall

Advantage

Chicago knows the Vikings want to establish the run first so they can effectively work play-action passes. So the objective for the Bears is to stop Adrian Peterson, who despite coming off a torn ACL less than a year ago, is currently putting up career numbers. Peterson rushed for more than 200 yards against the Bears as a rookie in 2007, but isn’t likely to duplicate the feat despite the home team’s recent struggles in defending the run. Chicago’s offense likely won’t be any better with the return of Cutler and changes on the offensive line. So don’t expect a breakthrough offensive performance from the Bears. As usual, defense will have to win this one. The offense just needs to take advantage of the field position provided by the defense and special teams and eliminate the sacks and turnovers.

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